Patna, Sept. 23: Famous for explaining scientific theories to us in lucid language on Doordarshan’s Turning Point, scientist Yash Pal has called on activists fighting against corruption not just to concentrate on the economic aspect but also on moral values.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day UGC-sponsored national seminar — Role of Science and Technology in Developing Society — at Sri Arvind Mahila College, he said: “People only think of the economic aspect while talking of corruption. They forget that social values are getting lost and that is the real cause of corruption.”

Coming to Bihar after a long time for the national seminar, which is being attended by several scientists and science teachers from across the country, Pal said the state has changed, for the better, a lot. However, he said corruption still prevails in higher education in the state.

Higher education should be associated with research and wide thinking but it is lacking in this aspect in the state, said Pal, adding: “The syllabus does not have a vision or proper direction. It is very important that science is associated with spirituality and philosophy.” He also said human beings, who have developed science, should be careful not to use it in a manner that harms them.

Principal of Sri Arvind Mahila College Asha Singh, event co-ordinator and head of physics department, Arun Kumar, faculty in Hindi department Shivnarayan, former member of Bihar Public Service Commission O.P. Rai, chairman of Bihar School Examination Board Rajmani Prasad, vice-chancellor of Aryabhatt Knowledge University S.N. Guha, former minister Akhilesh Prasad Singh and others also graced the national seminar.

Akhilesh said: “When we were in college, Patna Science College used to have well-equipped laboratories but now the condition has worsened a lot. If this is the condition of Patna Science College, then what would be the condition of others?”

Prasad said: “The state board will introduce semester system in classes X and XII from 2012. Forty per cent of the syllabus will be covered in the first semester, whereas the remaining 60 per cent will be covered in the next.” He added that he would discuss the model syllabi from 16 states at tomorrow’s technical session at the seminar to decide on the syllabus for classes X and XII students in Bihar.

Later in the day, Pal also visited Patna Women’s College for an interaction with the students. He stayed for one-and-a-half hours and shared several facts of science, like a clap produces sound because of the compression of air, with the students.

Physics student Sudha Bharti said: “It was wonderful to interact with him as he told us about so many things.”